Etheridge Concedes To Ellmers For

District-2 Seat

By Kendall Jones NBC17 Staff

Totals from a recount of the North Carolina congressional race for District-2 show Renee Ellmers has defeated Congressman Bob Etheridge.

At press conference Friday, Etheridge conceded victory to Ellmers.

“[T]he election recount has concluded, and the numbers confirm that despite the incredible support we had — and neither candidate getting to 50 percent — in the end we came up just a little too short,” Etheridge said. “I congratulate Mrs. Ellmers and wish her well as she prepares to serve the people of North Carolina’s Second District.”

During his speech, Etheridge noted his accomplishments during his 13 years in Congress.

“Every single day since we opened our doors in 1997, my staff and I have worked hard to provide outstanding constituent services to anyone and everyone who needed our help,” Etheridge said. “I’m so proud of my staff for their constituent service to this district.  I’m biased, but I think it has been second to none.”

Counties across the state completed their tally Friday and the State Board of Elections is expected to certify the election results at a meeting next Tuesday.

Since Election Day Ellmers held a lead of about 1,500 votes out of nearly 190,000 cast. Etheridge requested a recount after the election found they were separated by less than 1 percent of all votes.

Etheridge said “dirty politics” and outside money made a big difference in this election, but Ellmers said it was about voters, not money.

“One of the reasons I was told in the beginning that I would never be able to win this race against Congressman Etheridge is because he had so much money,” Ellmers said.

Ellmers has spent the week in Washington getting oriented with the job in anticipation that she will be declared the official winner.

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